More than 1.3M New Yorkers at risk if EPA weakens PFAS standards

Administrator Lee Zeldin will decide fate of landmark ‘forever chemicals’ standards

ALBANY, N.Y. – More than 1.3 million New Yorkers could lose critical protections from the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in their tap water if the Environmental Protection Agency rolls back its historic, science-based PFAS drinking water standards.

That’s the conclusion of a new analysis released today by the Environmental Working Group with Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

The analysis shows that at least 189 New York water systems – primarily serving residents on Long Island – have detected these chemicals above levels set in the landmark drinking water limits for six PFAS. The analysis is based on recent state and federal tests of PFAS in water. 

But these same systems’ PFAS levels are below the cap that New York set in 2020 for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most notorious and well-studied of the large group of forever chemicals.

The future of the federal limits is uncertain. 

On February 7, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia paused a lawsuit brought by water utilities and the chemical industry, giving the Trump administration and the EPA until April 8 to announce its intentions for the PFAS maximum contaminant levels – whether to weaken the standards significantly, continue defending them, ask for more time or scrap them altogether.

The agency finalized the standards in April 2024. They include limits of 4 parts per trillion, or ppt, for PFOA and PFOS, and 10 ppt for GenX, PFHxS, and PFNA. The EPA also set a hazard index of 1 for GenX, PFHxS, PFNA, and PFBS, which is a way to measure risks based on combined exposure. The standards aims to protect public health by reducing exposure to the toxic chemicals and their known serious health harms.

“If the EPA rolls back its PFAS drinking water standards, it would be nothing short of a betrayal of public health,” said David Andrews, Ph.D., EWG’s acting chief science officer. 

“There is no safe level of exposure to PFAS, especially to PFOA and PFOS. Even low doses of these chemicals have been linked to serious health harms. Rolling back federal protections would leave New Yorkers vulnerable to entirely preventable health risks,” he added.

New York’s standard for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water is 10 ppt. Weakening or outright eliminating the federal standards would scrap the 4 ppt safeguard, stripping any community in the state with PFAS of most or all protection from water contaminated up to 10 ppt. New York’s standard does not provide protection from the additional four PFAS covered by the federal rule.

​​“Will Lee Zeldin side with the health and well-being of fellow Long Island residents, or will he side with chemical companies that are seeking to pollute our drinking water and expose the public to toxic cancer-causing chemicals?” askedAdrienne Esposito, the executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

“I stood with Congressman Zeldin to call for strong federal PFAS drinking water standards. We’re all now counting on EPA Administrator Zeldin to follow through on his word. Every Long Islander, New Yorker and American deserves access to clean drinking water free of toxic forever chemicals that are linked to cancer and other serious health impacts,” she added.

New York water systems at risk

The new joint analysis identifies water systems in New York that have detected PFAS at levels below the state’s current drinking water standards, which are less stringent than the EPA’s limits. They’d receive critical coverage under the EPA’s more protective standards. 

Many more systems that have detected PFAS above New York state’s standard have taken or are taking action to protect their customers. Without a federal standard, these systems would not have to take any action to protect their water under the state limit.

“Eliminating the EPA’s PFAS limits would make drinking water less safe from harmful chemicals while forcing New York families to continue drinking contaminated water,” said Jared Hayes, a senior policy analyst at EWG and co-author of the report.

“Without federal PFAS standards, nearly 200 New York water systems could avoid taking protective actions, even though hazardous forever chemicals are still in their water,” he said.

Multiple locations across New York would lose these essential protections, including Mayville, Carroll Water District and Cherry Creek, in Chautauqua County, along with Countyline Mobile Home Park, in Orleans County. 

“The Defense Department has also said that only in cases where it contaminated the water will it treat the chemicals to the federal standard. So in addition to the numbers our analysis found, many service members and defense communities could also lose protections," said Hayes. 

“Rolling back or weakening the existing standards would endanger lives and undermine years of progress toward cleaner drinking water,” he added.

Health harms

PFAS are known as forever chemicals because once released into the environment they do not break down and they can build up in the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has detected PFAS in the blood of 99 percent of Americans, including newborn babies. 

For decades, polluters hid the health harms of PFAS from regulators, workers and neighboring communities. PFAS have been linked to cancer, reproductive harm, immune system damage and other serious health problems, even at low levels. 

“A growing body of peer-reviewed science demonstrates unequivocally that there is no safe level of exposure to toxic PFAS in drinking water,” said Esposito.

“The decision on whether or not to move forward with EPA’s science-based, health-protective drinking water standards will have an impact on the health of New Yorkers and all Americans for decades to come,” she added.

Press Contacts: 

Adrienne Esposito, CCE, 631-384-1378, aesposito@citizenscampaign.org

Brian Smith, CCE, 716-472-4078, bsmith@citizenscampaign.org 

Monica Amarelo, EWG, 202-939-9140, monica@ewg.org

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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action. 

Citizens Campaign for the Environment was formed in 1985 by a small group of concerned citizens recognizing the need for public involvement to advance stronger environmental policy. Today, it has grown to a 120,000-member organization with New York offices in Albany, Buffalo, Farmingdale and Syracuse. CCE works to empower the public by providing members with opportunities to participate in the political process and thereby advance a strong environmental agenda.

Ban on PFAS and Toxic Chemicals in Menstrual Products Bill Passes in Both Houses in New York State

Only Governor Hochul’s signature is needed to protect people who menstruate   

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Albany, NY- Today, the JustGreen Partnership is celebrating a mid-point legislative session win with the unanimous passage of the Ban on PFAS and Toxic Chemicals Bill S.1548 (Fernandez) / A1502 (Rosenthal) in the Assembly, following unanimous passage in the Senate in January. Next step is the Governor Hochul‘s desk. Once signed into law by the end of the year, New York will join California, Maine, and Vermont in restricting PFAS in menstrual products, and go beyond other states by restricting other harmful chemicals.

This bill will regulate the sale and distribution of menstrual products (pads, tampons, liners, sponges, etc.) in New York State that contain restricted substances or unsafe chemicals, including PFAS “forever chemicals,” heavy metals like lead and mercury, hormone disrupting parabens, and carcinogens like formaldehyde and toluene. 

As the JustGreen Partnership celebrates the unanimous passage of the bill today, they turn their focus to the Governor, who has long been vocal about her support for women’s reproductive rights, at a time when such rights are under attack federally. When New York State required period product makers to disclose ingredients on product packaging sold in the state under a law passed in 2019, companies responded by adding the labels nationally. This fits a pattern and advocates anticipate safer period products on store shelves from New York to New Mexico. 

“Today’s vote is a historic win for public health, environmental justice, and menstrual equity in New York. With the passage of S.1548/A.1502, we are shifting the burden away from consumers and putting it where it belongs—on manufacturers—to ensure the safety of products used in the most intimate parts of our lives,” said New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez. “It's a commonsense, science-backed step toward a healthier, more just future. I’m proud to have worked alongside Assemblymember Rosenthal and a broad coalition of advocates to deliver this win for New Yorkers, and I look forward to seeing the Governor sign it into law.”

“Manufacturing giants will no longer be able to sell toxic period products in New York State when my bill takes effect,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing. “For more than a century, women have been inserting untested and unregulated products into the most sensitive and absorbent part of their body. With the passage of my legislation, New York is ensuring that no woman will ever have to face this dangerous indignity again. I am incredibly grateful to Clean+Healthy, especially its Executive Director, Bobbi Wilding, for their unyielding support in getting this much-needed measure over the finish line.”

“We are thrilled that the Assembly has unanimously passed Assemblymember Rosenthal's bill to ban PFAS and other toxic chemicals in period products, after the Senate swiftly unanimously passed Senator Fernandez’s matching bill in January. There's no excuse for period product makers to allow harmful chemicals in their products. Everyone deserves to have access to these intimate products that are free of health-harming chemicals, whether or not they know about chemical hazards, regardless of how much money they have in their pockets, and frankly, whether or not they think this is important." said Bobbi Wilding, Executive Director of Clean+Healthy. "Now, as we see rapid erosion of public health and environmental protections at the federal level, it's more important than ever that New York State enacts these protections. We know that when New York required ingredient labels on period products, it changed packaging information nationally. We expect the same will be true again. Governor Hochul, we look forward to you signing this bill into law without delay!”

“Women and femmes of color are already disproportionately exposed to toxic chemicals in their lived environment, and even more so from beauty products that are marketed towards them. One way to reduce this dangerous exposure is to ban toxic chemicals in period products, which pose a heightened risk given their use in sensitive areas of the body as well as their duration of use. This crucial legislation for menstruators' health will prohibit the use of chemicals such as PFAS, talc, lead, synthetic fragrances and so many more. All of these toxins are closely linked to resulting in cancer, contribute to fertility and reproductive challenges, reduce immune function, and interfere with hormones," said Briana Carbajal, State Legislative Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. "Thank you to Senator Fernandez and Assemblymember Rosenthal for championing the passage of such an exemplary piece of legislation for other states to follow suit.”

“New Yorkers and our communities are inundated by exposure to toxic 'forever chemicals' (like PFAS) each and every day, and in ways that we don't even realize," said Caitlin Ferrante, Conservation Program Manager, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter. "Ridding our environment of these ubiquitous toxins will improve public health and help to reduce the costs of healthcare and expensive filtration of drinking water. The passage of A.1502/S.1548 will help limit yet another pathway of PFAS and other toxic chemicals exposure, in products used by more than half of the population, in the most intimate areas of their bodies. The Sierra Club is grateful for the leadership shown by Assemblymember Rosenthal and Senator Fernandez in getting this legislation passed in both houses this year, and look forward to Governor Hochul signing the bill into law.”

“Today’s passage of the Safe Menstrual Products Act is a period-defining moment for health and safety.” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment “Women should not be unnecessarily exposed to PFAS chemicals, formaldehyde, parabens and other toxics when they use these products. This legislation creates a future where menstrual and feminine hygiene products are as safe as they are necessary. CCE commends Assemblymember Rosenthal and Senator Fernandez for their leadership and we look forward to working with them to get this bill signed into law.”

“PFAS are pervasive toxic compounds with major implications for the health of our children and families who are commonly exposed through everyday household products. Menstrual products are particularly concerning sources of exposure as PFAS have been linked to lower birth weights, altered timing of puberty in adolescents, and high blood pressure in pregnancy that can have serious effects during childbirth among other health issues.” Said Charles Moon, MD, Co-Chair of the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee for the NYS Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “The NYS AAP thanks the Assembly for continued leadership on toxic chemical protections by passing this commonsense legislation and helping New Yorkers live healthier.”

“It is mind-boggling to have to say this, but dangerous 'forever chemicals' have no place in products designed for intimate bodily use," said Kate Donovan, Senior Attorney & Northeast Director of Environmental Health at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). "Bill A1502 / S1548 removes the burden from consumers to try to find less toxic products, and instead requires manufacturers to make products safe. The New York Legislature has finally taken the crucial step to protect New Yorkers that use menstrual products from dangerous chemicals that are known to cause serious health impacts.”

“The business community thanks the New York State legislature for passing this common sense, yet uncommon, legislation,” said Bob Rossi, Executive Director of the New York Sustainable Business Council (NYSBC). “Our businesses and economy depend on a healthy citizenry, which is threatened by PFAS poisoning, especially in products that directly contact our skin. We must push forward, support innovation, and meet the growing consumer demand for safer products—some even produced here in New York. We look to Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law.”

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